In a regular season game CSKA to host UNICS.
Where:
Russia, Moscow, USH CSKA (capacity 5000 spectators)
When:
March 27, 2021, 17:00 (17:00 МSК)
Broadcasts:
Match! Strana, TV Start, VTB United League web-site
Frame from the past
Season 2013/14: Andrei Vorontsevich (CSKA) tries to steal a rebound from Uladzimir Verameyenka (UNICS)
Face to face
UNICS and CSKA always fight for the higher places. However, CSKA have big advantage in confrontation history (77-20).
In the United League the teams met 23 times (18-5 in Moscow favor). By the way, in recent years Kazan took over the initiative. In the season before last they beat CSKA twice in a regular season for the first time in history, 71:68 at home and 83:73 at USH CSKA. In the 2019/20 season the teams met only once, UNICS won 94:86 in Kazan. However, in the first round of this season Moscow won at Basket Hall – 83:76.
Their last top meeting took place in finals-2016. CSKA won the series in 4 games.
Last week
On Monday CSKA took revenge on Kalev in Tallinn. On Thursday they also beat Crvena Zvezda in Euroleague at home.
UNICS played against Lokomotiv-Kuban in EuroCup quarterfinal. Kazan had a confident victory at home but lost in Krasnodar. The third game takes place on March 31 in Kazan.
Intrigue
Late winter and early spring was a tough period for CSKA, rookies adaptation, the defeats and pressure. Now it’s fair to say that the reloading is almost completed. Confident victory over Khimki and successful game in Madrid, then win over Kalev and Crvena Zvezda. The last time CSKA won 4 consecutive games was a year ago.
After a loss against CSKA on December 26 UNICS has incredible 17-2 record in all tournaments, they are now in League’s Top-3. No doubt on Saturday the fans will see a pure show preparing us for play-off games: two red hot teams will fight for second place in standings.
Situation
UNICS want to win in regular season but for now second place is more expected for them (despite of better record Zenit have advantage in personal meetings). If Kazan beat CSKA this case will be pretty realistic: with 4 games left they will outpace the opponents by 2 points.
In case of win CSKA will catch Kazan’s number of wins and outpace them in standings via personal meeting advantage. Anyway, CSKA have a tougher schedule in the end of the season, Zenit, Astana, Loko and Nizhny Novgorod (Enisey, Astana, PARMA and Loko for Kazan).
Home court
CSKA play confidently at home against UNICS but the last home victory CSKA took on April 2, 2018 (80:63).
This season CSKA have 6-3 home record, Kazan have the same away record.
Stats
CSKA are 4th in assists per game (19,8), UNICS are 11th (15,9). CSKA lead in offensive rebounds (12,6), Kazan are second in this indicator – 11,6.
Three-point shootout is expected. CSKA lead in threes percentage (40,4), UNICS are 4th (38,3).
Both teams are among top in turnovers: the Red-Blues lose turn it over rarer than any other team (11,5), UNICS are 11th (12,6).
Familiar faces
Nikita Kurbanov played for UNICS in 2008 and then spent 2013/14 season in Tatarstan.
Duel
Tornike Shengelia vs John Brown III.
Shengelia is one of the best power forwards in Europe. Brown is so good this season that he may join some Top team. Both forwards have recovered from injuries and got in shape. Versatile Shangelia and Brown are extremely important for CSKA and UNICS on both ends of the floor. The battle of these two energetic and aggressive players promises to be red hot.
